Community spirit shines at street theatre festival
![A child looks shocked as a banana "microphone" is held above his head.](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/869/cpsprodpb/3201/live/20dd4950-5310-11ef-9d90-1d42dc89597e.png)
Children enjoyed performances throughout the weekend
- Published
Performers from across the world have taken part in a weekend of street theatre.
Thousands of people visited the annual Stockton International Riverside Festival.
It was launched on Friday with the UK's first performance of Mecanique Vivante's The Sirens' Song for 35 years, which has an orchestra made up of repurposed air raid sirens.
The free festival, which aimed to "create a magical and unmissable experience", culminated with a colourful community carnival weaving through the streets on Sunday.
![A man plays an instrument crafted from repurposed air raid sirens.](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/839/cpsprodpb/4bd1/live/21024b90-5312-11ef-b883-cfff0f942200.png)
The "world's only Siren orchestra" travelled around Stockton's high street before joining soloists and performers to launch the event
![Performers balance on wooden poles in front of a crowd.](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/781/cpsprodpb/57af/live/4b51f0c0-5313-11ef-b883-cfff0f942200.png)
Crowds gathered to enjoy street theatre, dance, music and arts performances
Stockton Borough Council cabinet member Steve Nelson described the three-day event as "wonderful" and said feedback from visitors was positive.
"The festival continues to be a wonderful example of how diverse communities can come together to enjoy amazing outdoor entertainment, peacefully and with big smiles on their faces," he said.
![People, some in wheelchairs, dressed in colourful clothing and carrying flags.](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/1152/cpsprodpb/3761/live/986dc730-5313-11ef-b883-cfff0f942200.png)
Hundreds took part in the SIRF Community Carnival
![Children dressed as colourful stars dance on the high street.](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/1056/cpsprodpb/cfc6/live/dfd5ceb0-5313-11ef-b883-cfff0f942200.png)
Stockton councillor Steve Nelson said the event provided an opportunity to bring communities together
![A girl dressed as a bee mid-performance.](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/780/cpsprodpb/639c/live/b75f6b70-5314-11ef-a63a-6f8b2f72e6ba.png)
SIRF has drawn crowds to Stockton since the late 1980s
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- Published1 August 2012